John 16:3
“They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.”
What does John 16:3 mean?
Jesus is explaining why people will persecute his followers after he's gone. The root cause, he says, isn't mere misunderstanding or cultural difference, but a fundamental disconnection from God and from Jesus himself. When we don't know God's character or Jesus's message of love and truth, we're left vulnerable to fear, pride, and the desire to protect ourselves through violence against those who threaten our worldview. This matters for us today because it reframes persecution not as evidence that something is wrong with faith, but as a natural outcome when people haven't encountered God's love. It also gently invites us to ask: where in our own lives do we act harshly or defensively toward others? Jesus suggests it often traces back to not truly knowing God's heart. That recognition can soften us and open space for genuine understanding.